Nonlinear multibody dynamics and finite element modeling of occupant response: part II—frontal and lateral vehicle collisions

Abstract

Due to the increased number of fatalities and injuries in motor vehicle accidents, it is crucial to study the kinematic and kinetic occupant response during collisions, specifically the head and neck response due to their vulnerable nature. In Part I we have addressed rear end collisions. In Part II we examine occupant response in frontal and lateral collisions. Two multibody dynamics models of the cervical spine of the 50th percentile male were developed and validated. The cervical spine was modeled as a series of rigid links connected through single and two degrees of freedom viscoelastic joints. In addition, finite element simulations of two compact sedan vehicle were conducted to capture realistic crash acceleration of the driver seat in frontal and lateral collision scenarios. Furthermore, finite element simulations were performed to capture the kinematic and kinetic response of a seated restrained male occupant subjected to the realistic seat accelerations in frontal and lateral collisions. Finally, the possibility of injury in frontal, lateral and rear collisions was evaluated. The evaluation of ligament injury risk shows high risk of injury at the interspinous ligament in frontal collision, at the anterior longitudinal ligament in rear collision and at the near-side capsular ligament in lateral collision. The highest vertebral fracture risks were found at the mid- and lower cervical spine in rear and lateral collisions. The outcomes of this work provide a better understanding of occupant injury mechanism during frontal, lateral and rear collisions which is essential to enhancing motor vehicle safety.